Edutopia article about assessment

Advantages

• Is authentic in nature
• Assesses the process skills instead of knowledge
• Requires collaboration to make a successful measurement
• Encourages risk taking and possibly failure - this is really the only way we learn and grow
• Agreed upon criteria is know in advance
• Students actively demonstrate what they know
• Improves instruction of knowledge and soft skills required to meet standards as difficulties and learning progress are ongoing
• Students use higher levels of knowledge and show greater interest when facts are organized around big concepts or ideas
• Can lead to less lecturing and more thinking
• Allows for differentiation

Disadvantages

• Need a risk-free environment
• Reflection required to analyze and self-correct
• Requires more time and planning
• More time is spent also in coaching students individually
• May not be equitable (technology)
• Students good at memorizing are intimidated by this

Examples

• Open ended questions
• Actual doing of material (designing and carrying out an assignment, applying math concepts to building design)
• Portfolios
• Performance assessments in Science

Resources